May 16, 2016

U.S. and allies considering deal to arm and train new Libyan government forces

The Washington Post reports diplomats from 25 countries and international organizations, including the United States, said Monday they are considering arming and training the new unity government in Libya so it can fight the spread of terrorist groups in the country and counter the smuggling of migrants to Europe. In a joint communique following a lengthy meeting on ways to rein in chaos in Libya, the diplomats said they would support Libya’s request to be exempted from a United Nations embargo that was put in place five years ago to keep arms out of the hands of Islamist militants and rival militias locked in a power struggle.